Controlled liquid dose dispenser

ABSTRACT

According to an aspect of the present invention, a liquid dose dispenser  100  is disclosed. The dispenser  100  comprises a main body having a front assembly  138 , a mid assembly  148  and a rear assembly  140 . The dispenser  100  comprises a reservoir (liquid container)  134 , a liquid dispensing tip  136 , a lead screw  130  for guiding the screw in the mid assembly  148 . It also comprises a cam  126 , a nut  128 , and a spring element  132  wherein the spring element retracts the lead screw for controlled dispensing of the liquid. The said dispenser is used for dispensing required doses of liquids, solutions, viscous fluids for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and food applications.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a controlled liquid dose dispenser for dispensing liquids. Specifically, the present invention relates to a controlled liquid dose dispenser in the shape of a pen for dispensing liquids in specified quantities accurately.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Precise dispensing of liquids is useful in food and pharmaceutical industry to distribute small quantities of solutions, chemicals, reagents, medicines, drugs, enzymes, additives etc. In various processes, it is desired to deliver small quantities of valuable reagents necessary to initiate chemical reactions and to get intended results.

Micro-volume liquid handling technologies have been extensively used in the field of molecular biology and have been under rapid development over the last several decades. Accompanying the trend of laboratory automation and high-throughput, the liquid dispensing is increasingly playing.

Dispensing liquid volumes of less than 1 milliliter accurately and reproducibly in a single drop is a long-sought goal in areas as diverse as chemical screening for drug discovery, pharmaceutical formulation, agricultural chemistry, cosmetic and food processing, and ink-jet printing.

Thus, there is a need to develop a dispenser for controlled delivery of liquids which is portable, effective and economical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following is a brief summary of subject matter that is described in greater detail herein. This summary is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the claims.

It is an object of the invention to provide a controlled liquid dose dispenser for dispensing small amounts of liquids/semi liquids/gels/solutions/viscous liquids accurately.

It is another object of the invention to provide a controlled liquid dose dispenser in the shape of a pen that is easy to carry and to dispense the liquid in a hygienic manner at the desired location.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a controlled liquid dose dispenser wherein the cap of the pen shaped controlled liquid dose dispenser is used for delivering the liquid from the reservoir present in the pen.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a liquid dose dispenser is disclosed. The dispenser comprises main body having a front assembly, mid assembly and a rear assembly.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the dispenser comprises a reservoir (liquid container), liquid dispensing tip, and textured grip on the outer casing of the front assembly.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the dispenser comprises a lead screw having a lead screw head at a front end, a rubber gasket for guiding the screw in a mid assembly.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the dispenser comprises a stopper at the end of the front assembly for holding the reservoir in contact.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the dispenser comprises a cam, nut, and a spring element present in the mid assembly.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the spring aids in retraction of the structure to the normal position. The dispenser further comprises a slider, an end cap with a female part (groove) and the lead screw extending to the rear end.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the rear assembly controls the dispensing of liquid from the dispenser.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the end cap is a closer of the main body at the rear end with a cap assembly with engaging structure.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is used for dispensing required doses of liquids, solutions, viscous fluids for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and food applications.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is in the shape of a pen with the cap assembly adapted to be used as a covering to the tip from which the fluid is dispensed.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said cap assembly comprises an engaging structure from inside.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said engaging structure present in the cap fit to the female part (groove) in the end cap.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said structures present in the cap activate the valve of the dispensing system.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said the engaging structure present in the cap pushes the female part in the end cap.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said cap assembly is detachable from the pen shaped dispenser body.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser comprises a non-return valve (not shown), for allowing liquid from the reservoir.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said lead screw acts as a plunger assembly having a plunger element and a liquid-tight seal and the plunger assembly is extending from the reservoir.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is used for dispensing controlled amount of liquid/medicine in nose, ears, mouth or onto the other parts of the body. The medicine in the dose range of 0.01 ml to 2 ml is delivered accurately.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is used in dental applications for dispensing medicine in the form of fluid or semi fluid to teeth or in between tooth.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is used for dispensing required amount of dosage of fluid accurately in upward, sideward or in any intended direction.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is used for dispensing enzymes in a food industry.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is used for dispensing required amount of dosage of fluid accurately in upward, sideward or in any intended direction.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the said dispenser is a disposable type dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates perspective of view and FIG. 1B illustrates side sectional view of the controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates perspective view of controlled liquid dose dispenser with cap inserted from back of the pen shaped dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates side sectional view and FIG. 3B illustrates bottom view of the cap arrangement of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates perspective view, FIG. 4B illustrates side sectional view and FIG. 4C illustrates bottom view of the front assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5A illustrates perspective view, FIG. 5B illustrates side sectional view and FIG. 5C illustrates top view of the mid assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6A illustrates perspective view, FIG. 6B illustrates side sectional view, FIG. 6C illustrates top view and FIG. 6D illustrates bottom views of the cam assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A illustrates perspective view, FIGS. 7B, 7C illustrate the side sectional views, FIG. 7D illustrates top view and FIG. 7E illustrates bottom of a nut assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8A illustrates perspective view, FIG. 8B illustrates side sectional view, FIGS. 8C and 8D illustrate top and bottom views of the injector assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9A illustrates perspective view, FIG. 9B illustrates side sectional view and FIG. 9C illustrates bottom view of the coil assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10A illustrates perspective view, FIG. 10B illustrates side sectional view and FIG. 10C illustrates bottom of the mid shell assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11A illustrates perspective view and FIG. 11B illustrates bottom view of grip of the controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A controlled liquid dose dispenser in the shape of pen is disclosed. The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, applications, or uses. Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

FIG. 1A illustrates perspective view and FIG. 1B illustrates front sectional view of the controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the controlled liquid dose dispenser 100 is present in the shape of a pen. The controlled liquid dose dispenser 100 has a cap 110 with engaging structure 112, main body assembly 120, an end cap 122, cam engaging slider 124, cam 126, nut 128, lead screw 130, spring 132, reservoir (liquid container) 134, liquid dispensing tip 136, front end assembly 138, rear assembly 140, grip 142, stopper 144, lead screw 156, lead screw head 152. The cap 110 is present at the front side of the controlled liquid dose dispenser 100 when the controlled liquid dose dispenser 100 is not dispensing liquid. The cap 122 is detachable from the main body assembly 120.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of controlled liquid dose dispenser 200 with cap 210 inserted from back of the main body assembly 220 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in shown in FIG. 2, the cap 210 is inserted from the rear end 240 of the main body. The cap 210 contains an engaging structure 212 inside of it. When the cap 210 is inserted from the rear side of the main end of the main body assembly 220, the engaging structure 212 acts as a male part and fits into the female part 262 of the end cap 222.

After the fit is attained, the cap 210 is clicked manually on cap head 216 which engages the injector linearly forward that results in the dispensing of liquid in the reservoir 234 through the tip 236. Further the required dosage can be dispensed by the user either based on the number of clicks or as per dosage required.

In one embodiment, the dosage dispensed is about 0.01 ml to 2 ml. The liquid reservoir 234 can store about 2 to 15 ml of the liquid. Once the liquid in the liquid reservoir 234 is over, the user may dispose the controlled liquid dose dispenser 200.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the cross-sectional view of the controlled liquid dose dispenser cap arrangement 310 and bottom view of the cap arrangement 310 respectively. The cap 310 is present at the front side of the liquid dose dispenser 300.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the cap 310 is detachable from the pen shaped liquid dose dispenser 300 body and is inserted from rear end 340 of the main body that contains engaging structure 312 inside (not shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B).

The engaging structure 312 will be inserted in to the female portion 362 provided at the end cap 322 of the liquid dispenser.

In one embodiment of the invention, the operation of the dispenser is carried out only when the cap 310 is inserted at the back of the rear side of the main end of the main body and cap head 316 is operated manually by click mechanisms.

FIG. 4A illustrates front assembly 438 of controlled liquid dose dispenser perspective view, FIG. 4B illustrates front view and FIG. 4C illustrates side view of front assembly 438 of liquid dose dispenser.

The front assembly 438 of pen shaped controlled liquid dose dispenser 400 includes a reservoir (liquid container) 434, liquid dispensing tip 436 and grip 442.

The reservoir 434 is present in the main body 400. The reservoir 434 stores the liquid to be dispensed. The lead screw 430 pushes the liquid towards the tip 436 during dispensing of the liquid. The liquid container (reservoir) 434 stores about 2 ml to 15 ml of the that is used nor dispensing liquid as per the requirement.

The tip 436 of the controlled liquid dispenser is generally made of polypropylene and is integrated with the front assembly 438. The dosage is dispensed from the tip 436 in the specified amounts by the user.

When the cap 410 is inserted at the rear assembly 440 of the pen shaped liquid dispenser 400, the lead screw 430 pushes the liquid present in the reservoir 434 towards the tip 436 by clicking the head cap 416 as many times as the dosage required.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the dosage dispensed is in the range of 0.01 ml to 2 ml.

The outer shell 446 of the main body can be transparent so that the volume of the liquid present in the reservoir 434 can be viewed from outside without opening the main body.

In one embodiment of the invention the outer body of the main body is opaque so that it can remain unexposed to the surroundings.

FIG. 5 illustrates rear assembly 540 of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5A displays a hollow cylindrical shape with internal thread grip 546 at front end, FIG. 5B displays front view of the rear assembly 540. The rear assembly comprises of nut 528, cam 526 and cam engaging slider 524 and a lead screw 530. The rear assembly 540 is an arrangement of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 5B, the outer shell of the dispensing system is made of polymers like ABS, PU, and HDPE etc. It protects the all internal parts according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6A illustrates the perspective view and FIG. 6B illustrates front view and FIGS. 6C and 6D illustrate corresponding side views of the cam assembly 626 of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 6B the linear movement of the lead screw 630 is guided by the cam 626 that engages the lead screw 630 to serve the purpose of liquid dispensing. The slider 650 moves the cam 626. The slider 650 has two projections one at each end (not shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B). The movement of the cam 626 in forward direction helps in pushing the lead screw 630 which in turn pushes the liquid inside the reservoir 634 through the tip 636 for the desired dosage of the liquid dose dispenser.

FIG. 7A illustrates perspective view, FIGS. 7B, 7C illustrate the side sectional views, FIG. 7D illustrates top view and FIG. 7E illustrates bottom of a nut assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the nut assembly 728 rotates and the lead screw 730 which connects to the reservoir (liquid container) 734 moves forward.

FIG. 8A illustrates perspective view, FIG. 8B illustrates side sectional view, FIGS. 8C and 8D illustrate top and bottom views of the injector assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 8A to 8D, the lead screw 830 has an inner face having a rubber gasket 852 towards the liquid reservoir 834 and an outer face for engaging a lead screw 830 that may be manually operated using the pen cap slider mechanism. During the operation of the controlled liquid dose dispenser, the lead screw pushes the liquid reservoir 834 in the forward direction for dispensing of the liquid.

FIG. 9A illustrates perspective view and FIG. 9B illustrates side sectional view and FIG. 9C illustrates bottom view of the coil assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the coil 932 is mounted on the lead screw 830, to serve the clicking mechanism that is used for dispensing the required dosage. The coil 932 helps in retraction of the cam assembly (not shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C) after dispensing of the liquid.

FIG. 10A illustrates perspective view, FIG. 10B illustrates side sectional view and FIG. 10C illustrates bottom of the mid shell assembly of controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, the mid shell acts as a casing for the entire mid body that covers all the interior parts like lead screw 1030, nut 1028, cam 1026 and end cap 1022. The mid shell 1048 is therein attached to the front assembly 1038 of the liquid dose dispenser.

FIG. 11A illustrates perspective view and FIG. 11B illustrates bottom view of grip of the controlled liquid dose dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the grip 1142 helps the user to hold the main body assembly (not shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B) firmly so that a comfortable hold is assured. 

I/We claim:
 1. A liquid dose dispenser 100, comprises: a main body having a front assembly 138, a mid assembly 148 and a rear assembly 140; a reservoir (liquid container) 134 in the front assembly 138; a liquid dispensing tip 136 in the front of the dispenser 100; a textured grip 142 on the outer casing of the front assembly 138; a lead screw 130 having a lead screw head 154 at a front end, a rubber gasket 152 for guiding the screw in a mid assembly 148 of the dispenser 100; a stopper 144 at the end of the front assembly 138 for holding the reservoir in tact; a cam 126, a nut 128, and a spring element 132 present in the mid assembly 148, wherein: the spring aids in retraction of the structure to the normal position; a slider 124, an end cap with a female part (groove) and the lead screw 130 extending to the rear end; the rear assembly 140 controls the dispensing of liquid from the dispenser 100; the end cap is a closer of the main body at the rear end with a cap assembly 110 with engaging structure 112; and Where in, the said dispenser is used for dispensing required doses of liquids, solutions, viscous fluids for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and food applications.
 2. The liquid dose dispenser of claim 1, wherein said dispenser 100 is in the shape of a pen with the cap assembly 110 adapted to be used as a covering to the tip 136 from which the fluid is dispensed.
 3. The cap assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cap assembly 110 comprises an engaging structure 112 from inside.
 4. The cap assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the engaging structure 112 present in the cap fit to the female part (groove) 162 in the end cap
 122. 5. The cap assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the structures present in the cap activate the valve of the dispensing system.
 6. The cap assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the engaging structure present in the cap pushes the female part 162 in the end cap
 122. 7. The liquid dose dispenser of claim 1, wherein said cap assembly 110 is detachable from the pen shaped dispenser 100 body.
 8. The liquid dose dispenser of claim 1, wherein said dispenser 100 comprises a non-return valve (not shown), for allowing liquid from the reservoir
 134. 9. The liquid dose dispenser of claim 1, wherein the lead screw 130 acts as a plunger assembly having a plunger element and a liquid-tight seal and the plunger assembly extending from the reservoir
 134. 10. The liquid dose dispenser of claim 1, wherein said dispenser 100 is used for dispensing controlled amount of liquid/medicine in nose, ears, mouth or onto the other parts of the body. The medicine in the dose range of 0.01 ml to 2 ml is delivered accurately.
 11. The liquid dose dispenser of claim 1, wherein said dispenser 100 is used in dental applications for dispensing medicine in the form of fluid or semi fluid to teeth or in between tooth.
 12. The liquid dose dispenser of claim 1, wherein said dispenser 100 is used for dispensing required amount of dosage of fluid accurately in upward, sideward or in any intended direction. 